Reclining article of furniture having movable leg rest



April 7, 1959 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 2,880,785

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE HAVING MOVABLE LEG REST Filed Jan. 8, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fl G .3 INVENTOR.

PHdfiof F-Schliephocke.

M ,M Mmz ATTORNEY'S April 7, 1959 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 0,

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE HAVING MOVABLE LEZG REST Filed Jan. 8. 195'? R 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Fr idtjof Fschliephocke.

ATTORNEY'S F. F. SCHLlEPHACKE 2,880,785

ril 7,1959

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE HAVING MOVABLE LEG REST Filed Jan. 8, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Fridtjof F. Schliephocke. BY %ms %mk4iu% FIGQHY ATTORNEY'S United States Patent RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE HAVING MOVABLE LEG REST Fridtiof F. Schliephacke, Berlin-Schmargendorf, Germany, assignor to Anton Lorenz, Greenwich, Conn.

Application January 8, 1957, Serial No. 632,993

10 Claims. (Cl. 155-106) This invention relates to seating units having body supporting elements which may be moved from an upright to a more or less reclining position and which are provided with leg rests supported by linkage which will elevate the leg rest when the seating elements are moved to a reclining position and will retract the leg rest when the seating elements are moved to an upright position.

The objects of the invention are to provide improved linkages for supporting and operating the leg rest in accordance with the movement of the seating elements so as to provide a structure which is compact, strong and has improved operating characteristics. In general, the seating unit comprises a stationary frame or base, a back rest member and a seat. The back rest member is mounted on the frame to swing about an axis located either at a point substantially above the lower end of the back rest or at or below such lower end. The seat is pivoted to the back rest. The leg rest is supported on linkage connected to the seat and operated by linkage connected to the stationary frame so that it is controlled by the movements of the seat with respect to the frame when the back rest and seat are moved to reclining position.

Specific objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the description of certain preferred embodiments of the invention chosen to illustrate the principles thereof.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a chair showing one form of the invention with the parts in a reclining position;

Figure 2. is a side elevation of the construction shown in Figure 1, with the parts in an upright seating position;

Figures 3 and 4 are side elevations showing another form of the invention in upright seating and reclining position, respectively, part of the side frame being shown broken away.

Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to Figs. 3. and 4 showing another form of the invention;

Figures 7 and 8 are views similar to Figs. 3 and 4 showing another form of the invention.

Figure 9 is a side view of a part of the linkage shown in Figs. 7 and 8 in an intermediate position.

Figures 10 and 11 are views similar to Figs. 3 and 4 showing another form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the article of furniture comprises a stationary frame or base 20 having side frames 22 and arms 24. Any suitable form of frame may of course by employed, depending upon the style of furniture desired. 26 is a back rest which is movably mounted upon the frame, it being shown in Figures l and 2 as having downwardly projecting arms 28 rigidly attached thereto which are pivoted at their 'lower ends to the frame at points 30. 32 is a seat which is movably supported so as to be tilted upward at an appropriate angle when the back rest is tilted back. For this purpose the seat may be mounted in various Ways but ice in the particular example shown in Figures 1 and 2 the seat has bars 34 fastened to the sides thereof which have rearward extending ears 36 which are pivoted to the back rest at points 38, these points being substantially above the pivots 30 so that when the back rest is tilted back the seat will also move back. The forward part of the seat is supported on seat guide links 40 which are pivoted to the front ends of the bars 34 at points 41 and which at their lower ends are pivoted to the frame at points 42. As the seat moves back these guide links serve to raise the front part of the seat so as to tilt it to the proper angle.

The leg rest 44 is supported on links carried by the forward part of the seat and is actuatde by means of links anchored to the frame so that the movement of the seat with respect to the frame will actuate the link age to project or retract the leg rest. In the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2 the leg rest is provided with short links 46 pivoted at 48 to the 'leg rest, the pivot points 48 being spaced at a distance from the rear edge of the leg rest. Also pivoted to the leg rest at points 50 in rear of the points 48 are links 52 which are in this instance longer than the links 46. In describing the pivot points of the leg rest carrying links as located with reference to the rear edge of the leg rest, the extended position of the leg rest as shown in Figures 1, 4, 6, 8 and 11 is referred to. The outer ends of the links 46 are pivoted at 54 to connecting links 56 which are pivoted to the seat at points 58. Leg rest actuating levers 60 are provided as a part of the leg rest carrying linkage, these levers 60 being pivoted at fulcrum points 62 to the seat and at their outer ends at points 64 to the ends of links 52. The links 52 cross the connecting links 56 and are pivoted thereto at such crossing points 57.

The levers 60 have short arms 68 which are bent back at acute angles and which are pivoted at points 70 to leg rest direct actuating links 72 which are pivoted at 74 to the stationary frame. When the seat is tilted and drawn back by rearward movement of the back rest, the movement of the fulcrum points 62, relative to the pivot points 70 and pivotal anchor points 74 of links 72, which act as thrust links, will swing the actuating levers 60 to a more horizontal position as shown in Figure l which will cause the leg rest to be raised from the retracted position shown in Figure 2 to an elevated or projected position as shown in Figure 1. Restoration of the body supporting unit to upright or seating position will, of course, cause a retraction of the leg rest.

Figures 3 and 4 show a modified form of leg rest supporting linkage. The back rest, seat and frame are of the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2. The leg rest 44a, in this instance, is carried by pairs of links 46a and 52a which are of the same or nearly the same length. The outer ends of both links 46a and 52a are pivoted to the leg rest operating lever 60a at points 64a and 54a, respectively, the lever being fulcrumed at 62a to the seat. This lever has an arm 68a bent back at an acute angle. The leg rest guide link 56a is shorter than the lever 60a and is pivoted at point 66a to an intermediate point of the link 52a and at point 58a to the seat. The short arm 68a of the leg rest operating lever is connected at 70a to the link 72a which is anchored .to the frame at the point 74a.

In the construction shown in Figures 5 and 6 a chair is shown in which the back rest 26b is pivoted to the frame 20 at points 30b substantially above the bottom of the back rest. The seat 32b is pivoted to the back rest at points 38b which are substantially below the pivot points 30b of the back rest. With this construction back. The seat is mounted on seat guide links 40b which are pivoted at their upper ends to the seat and at the lower ends to the frame at points 42. The leg rest 44b is carried on pairs of links 4611 and 52b, the upper ends of which are pivoted at spaced points 48b and 5012 on the leg rest. At their opposite ends the links 46b and 52b are pivoted at spaced points 641; and 65b to leg rest operating levers 6012 which are pivoted to the seat at fulcrum points 62b. The ends of the short arms 68b of the operating levers are connected by links 72b to anchorage points 74b on the frame. Guide links 80 are anchored at points 82 to the links 52b between the ends thereof and to points 84 on the chair seat, the points 84 in the example shown being in advance of the fulcrum points 62b. The linkage shown is so proportioned that the leg rest when retracted will be drawn underneath the seat as shown in Figure so that it will move through an arc of nearly 180 when it is moved to fully projected position.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 disclose another form of the invention in which the back rest 260 is pivoted to the frame at points 300 above the bottom of the back rest. The seat 320 is pivoted at points 380 on the back which are substantially below the back rest pivot points 300 and in rear of such points when the back rest is in upright position as shown in Fig. 7. The seat is also supported on seat guide links c pivoted at their upper ends to the seat and at their lower ends to the frame. The leg rest 44c is carried on a pair of links 460 and 52c similar to the links 44b and 52b shown in Figures 5 and 6. The lower ends of the pairs of links 460 and 520 are pivoted at points 640 and 66c to leg rest operating levers 600 which are pivoted to the seat at their inner ends at points 86. Also pivoted to the seat at fulcrum points 88 are bent levers 90. The ends of these bent levers are pivoted at points c to the ends of actuating links 72c which are pivoted at points 740 to the stationary frame. The other ends of the levers 90 are pivoted at 92 to the short levers 94 which cross the levers 60c and are pivoted thereto at points 96. The ends of the levers 94 are pivoted at 98 to guide links 80c which are pivoted at points 82c to the links 52c.

Figures 10 and 11 show another modification of the invention in which the back rest 26d is mounted on the frame on pivots 30d located above the bottom of the back rest. The seat 320! is pivoted to the back rest at points 38d located below the pivot points 30d as in the construction shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. In this instance, the seat is supported by seat guide links 40d which are pivoted at their upper ends at points 74d on the frame and at their lower ends at points 100 on the seat. The seat is thus more or less suspended on the seat guide links 40d. The leg rest 44:! is carried on links 46d and 52d. Links 46:! are pivoted at their ends to the ends of links 102 which are pivoted to the seat at points 104. The links 102 cross the links 52d and are pivoted thereto at points 106. The ends of the links 52'd extending beyond the pivot points 106 are pivoted 108 to leg rest operating levers 60d which are pivoted to the seat at fulcrum points 62d. The short arms 68d of the operating levers 60d are connected by links 72d to anchor points on the frame which may be the same as the anchor points 74d to which the seat guide links 4011 are pivoted although these points need not necessarily coincide. In the construction shown in these Figs. 10 and 11, the leg rest has a full movement of nearly from a concealed position under the seat to a projected position.

It is understood that certain parts, elements or mechanisms shown in one figure may be substituted for corresponding parts, elements or mechanisms of the embodimerits shown in other figures of the drawings.

1 have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is understood" that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration, and that various omissions or changes in shape, proportion and arrangement of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a reclining article of furniture having a stationary frame, a seat and a back rest and means for mounting said seat and said back rest on said frame permitting tilting movement thereof with respect to said frame, a leg rest and means for connecting said leg rest and said seat permitting movement of said leg rest from a retracted position when said seat and said back rest are tilted, said means comprising a system of linkage including two links pivoted to said leg rest at spaced locations thereof, said system also including two links pivoted to said seat at spaced locations thereof, said two links pivoted to said seat being operatively connected with said two links pivoted to said leg rest, and a direct actuating link one end of which is pivoted to one of the links of the leg rest supporting system and the other end of which is pivoted to said frame to actuate said leg rest linkage to change the position of said leg rest when said seat and said back rest are tilted on said frame.

2. In a reclining article of furniture having a stationary frame, a seat and a back rest and means for mounting said seat and said back rest on said frame permitting tilting movement thereof with respect to said frame, a. leg rest and means for connecting said leg rest and said seat permitting movement of said leg rest from a retracted position when said seat and said back rest are tilted, said means comprising a system of linkage including two links pivoted to said leg rest at spaced locati'ons thereof, said system also including two links pivoted to said seat at spaced locations thereof, one of said two links pivoted to said seat being pivoted to both of said two links pivoted to said leg rest, the other of said two links pivoted to said seat being pivoted to only one of said links pivoted to the leg rest, one of said links pivoted to the seat constituting a lever having a rigidly con nected arm projecting beyond the point at which said link is pivoted to the seat, a direct actuating link, said arm being pivoted to one end of said direct actuating link, the other end of which is pivoted to said frame to actuate said leg rest linkage to change the position of said leg rest when said seat and said back rest are tilted on said frame.

3. In a reclining article of furniture having a stationary frame, a seat and a back rest and means for mounting said seat and said back rest on said frame permitting tilting movement thereof with respect to said frame, a leg rest and means for connecting said leg rest and said seat permitting movement of said leg rest from a retracted position when said seat and said back rest are tilted, said means comprising a system of linkage including two links pivoted to said leg rest at spaced locations thereof, said system also including two links pivoted to said seat at spaced locations thereof, one of said two links pivoted to said seat being operatively connected with both of said two links pivoted to said leg rest, and a direct actuating link, said last named seat pivoted link being pivoted to one end of said direct actuating link, the other end of which is pivoted to said frame to actuate said leg rest linkage to change the position of said leg rest when said seat and said back rest are tilted on said frame, the other of said links pivoted to the seat being pivoted to only one of said links pivoted to the leg rest.

4. In a reclining article of furniture having a stationary frame, a seat and a back rest and means for mounting said seat and said back rest on said frame permitting tilting movement thereof with respect to said frame, a leg-rest and means for connecting said leg rest and said seat permitting movement of said leg rest from a retracted position when said seat and said back rest are tilted, said means comprising a system of linkage including two links pivoted to said leg rest at spaced locations thereof, said system also including two links pivoted to said seat at spaced locations thereof, one of said two links pivoted to said seat being pivoted to the outer ends of both of said two links pivoted to said leg rest, the other of said two links pivoted to said seat being pivoted to an intermediate point of one of said links pivoted to the leg rest, one of said links pivoted to the seat constituting a lever having a rigidly connected arm, a direct actuating link, said arm being pivoted to one end of said actuating link the other end of which is pivoted to said frame to actuate said leg rest linkage to change the position of said leg rest when said seat and said back rest are tilted on said frame.

5. In a reclining article of furniture having a station-- ary frame, a seat and back rest and means for mounting said seat and back rest on said frame permitting tilting movement thereof with respect to said frame, a leg rest and means for connecting said leg rest and said seat permitting movement of said leg rest from a retracted position when said seat and said back rest are tilted, said means comprising a system of linkage including two links pivoted to said leg rest at spaced locations thereof, said system also including a link pivoted to the forward part of the seat and to said two links pivoted to the leg rest, a lever pivoted to the seat in rear of the point at which said seat-pivoted link is pivoted, linkage connecting said lever with one of said links pivoted to the leg rest, said linkage including a member pivoted to said seat-pivoted link at a point thereof below the point at which said link is pivoted to the seat, and a direct actuating link connected to said lever and pivotally anchored to the frame.

6. In a reclining article of furniture having a stationary frame, a seat and back rest and means for mounting said seat and back rest on said frame permitting tilting movement thereof with respect to said frame, a leg rest and means for connecting said leg rest and said seat permitting movement of said leg rest from a retracted position when said seat and said back rest are tilted, said means comprising a system of linkage including two links pivoted to said leg rest at spaced locations thereof, said system also including a link pivoted to the forward part of the seat and to said two links pivoted to the leg rest, a lever pivoted to the seat in rear of the point at which said seat-pivoted link is pivoted, linkage connecting said lever with one of said links pivoted to the leg rest, said linkage including a member pivoted to said seat-pivoted link at a point thereof below the point at which said link is pivoted to the seat, one end of said member being pivoted to the lever pivoted to the seat, the other end of said member being connected by a link to an intermediate point of said link pivoted to the leg rest, and a direct actuating link connected to said lever and anchored to the frame.

7. In a reclining article of furniture having a stationary frame, a seat and a back rest and means for mounting said seat and said back rest on said frame permitting tilting movement thereof with respect to said frame, a leg rest and means for connecting said leg rest and said seat permitting movement of said leg rest from a retracted position when said seat and said back rest are tilted, said means comprising a system of linkage including two links pivoted to said leg rest at spaced locations thereof, said system also including two links pivoted to said seat at spaced locations thereof, one of said two links pivoted to said seat being pivoted to both of said two links pivoted to said leg rest, the other of said two links pivoted to said seat being pivoted to only one of said links pivoted to the leg rest, a direct actuating link, said second seat pivoted link constituting a lever having a ridigly connected arm, said arm being pivoted to one end of said direct actuating link the other end of which is pivoted to said frame to actuate said leg rest linkage to change the position of said leg rest when said seat and said back rest are tilted on said frame.

8. In a reclining article of furniture having a stationary frame, body supporting members comprising a seat and back rest, the back rest being pivoted on the frame, the seat being pivoted to the back rest at a point removed from the pivotal axis of the back rest, a leg rest, and a linkage of lazy tongs type for supporting and moving said leg rest including two links connected to the leg rest at spaced points thereof and two links connected to the seat at spaced points, and a single actuating link connected to a part of said leg rest linkage and pivotally anchored at a fixed point to the frame.

9. A construction as claimed in claim 8 in which the back rest is pivoted to the frame above its lower end and the seat is pivoted to the back rest below the pivotal axis of the back rest on the frame whereby the seat will have a forward movement when the back rest is tilted backward and in which the leg rest supporting linkage includes a leg rest guide lever pivoted to the seat and having an arm projecting beyond its pivotal point on the seat, the single actuating link being a pull link and being connected to said lever arm and pivotally anchored to the frame.

10. A leg rest and control arrangement for a reclining chair of the type including a stationary frame, and body-supporting means including a seat and back rest movably mounted on said frame, said arrangement comprising a leg rest, and leg rest actuating means operatively connected between said frame, said body-supporting means and said leg rest for moving said leg rest to an elevated leg-supporting position in response to movement of said body-supporting means, said actuating means comprising a system of linkage including a first pair of links, respective means pivotally connecting said first pair of links to said leg rest at spaced locations thereof, a second pair of links, respective means pivotally connecting said second pair of links to said seat at spaced locations thereof, the pair of links pivoted to the seat being operatively connected with the pair of links pivoted to the leg rest to provide a leg rest mounting linkage, a direct actuating link, means pivotally connecting said actuating link to one link of said leg rest mounting linkage and means pivotally mounting said actuating link on said frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,670,030 Richardson Feb. 23, 1954 2,781,825 Lorenz Feb. 19, 1957 2,782,836 Krakauer Feb. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 158,394 Germany Feb. 22, 1905 166,239 Australia Dec. 6, 1955 

